How much would you bid? Wind in the Willows illustration expected to fetch £15k-£20k at auction

PANGBOURNE has been home for several well-known people, not least the author of The Wind in the Willows. Kenneth Grahame lived in 18th century Church Cottage for the last eight years of his life and met there with E H Shepard, who was said to have been inspired by the Pangbourne countryside to create the illustrations he drew for the re-print of the classic novel.

Generations of children have grown up with the adventures of Ratty and Moley messing about on the river, protected from the wild wood on the hill by Badger and the infamous Toad of Toad Hall.

Now a true piece of artistic & literary history is about to go under the hammer at Newbury auction house Dreweatt’s sister company Forum Auctions in London, which is a Books and Works on Paper specialist.

Toad Escapes from Prison by celebrated English artist and book illustrator Ernest Howard Shepard (1879-1976) is estimated to fetch £15,000-£20,000.

The original artwork in pencil and watercolour, is a rare and iconic illustration from Kenneth Grahame’s (1859-1932) beloved children’s classic, The Wind in the Willows and encapsulates the adventurous spirit of Mr Toad as he makes his daring escape from prison, dressed as a washerwoman.

Kenneth Grahame's classic riverbank tale featuring Ratty and Mole and the irrepressible Mr Toad, was first published in 1908 with only a woodcut frontispiece by the illustrator and author Graham Robertson (1866-1948), by way of illustration.

EH Shepard, whose masterful interpretations of Winnie-the-Pooh and Friends had enhanced A.A. Milne's classics when they appeared between 1924 and 1928, undertook the task of further invigorating Grahame's own classic in 1931 with Grahame imploring the artist "I love these little people, be kind to them."

Deputy chairman and international head of books at Forum Auctions Rupert Powell tells us: “This colourful artwork captures the adventurous spirit of Mr Toad of Toad Hall, who is depicted as conceited and boorish in the book, quickly becoming obsessed with various activities (most notably motor cars). He finally gets his come-uppance when jailed for 20 years for stealing and crashing a car. He escapes by dressing as a washerwoman and as befits a children's tale, he ultimately learns from his errant ways, apologises and by the end of the book is a loveable country gentleman.

This colourful, animated scene from the book has enchanted readers for generations. It is not only a testament to Shepard’s exceptional artistic talent, but also a piece of literary history. Shepard’s illustrations have become synonymous with Grahame’s characters, bringing them to life with charm and whimsy. The work has been meticulously preserved and is in excellent condition, making it a valuable addition to any collection.”

Rupert Powell continues: “We are thrilled to present this extraordinary work. Shepard’s illustrations have left an indelible mark on children’s literature and this piece is a wonderful example of his ability to capture the essence of Grahame’s characters. We anticipate significant interest from collectors and enthusiasts alike. It also has a particular resonance, given the current state of overcrowding in our prisons today!”

Toad Escapes from Prison comes up at the Manuscripts and Works on Paper sale on September 26.